Conan

There are some very cheap bass strings available - do a bit of a search on here, there was someone posted a link a few days ago to someone on Ebay selling strings at a FIVER a set! At that price, you can afford to experiment. There are also some people (me included) selling used strings at very good prices! [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/223853-used-strings-smooth-and-mellow/page__p__2301971__hl__strings__fromsearch__1#entry2301971"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/223853-used-strings-smooth-and-mellow/page__p__2301971__hl__strings__fromsearch__1#entry2301971[/url]

[quote name='Merton' timestamp='1387393157' post='2311536'] The whole thing is dull. People who defend get called fanbois, people who don't like them feel they're attacked when they put across their (sometimes ill informed) view. Boring. Let's talk about something else. [/quote] Agreed. I think this thread (and the other BF ones currently running) have reached conclusions. I should stop reading them. I should. I [i][b]really[/b][/i] should...

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1387386743' post='2311416'] An amp and cab [i]comfortably [/i]managing the volume I need is the best rig for me. [/quote] Yeah, that's what I thought...

[quote name='Jus Lukin' timestamp='1387375408' post='2311229'] Perhaps I just read too many of the 'HiFi' opinions in a row! [/quote] I think some people (myself included at times) have been guilty of using the word "Hi-Fi" to mean slightly different things...

[quote name='The Dark Lord' timestamp='1387383841' post='2311365'] Maybe you can explain what you mean by that? [/quote] Well, there is clearly some "history" between you and Alex Claber. You have alluded to that in other posts (like when you said you put a cloth cover on the front of your Compact and he didn't want you to, for example). You questioned his attitude when, as a dispassionate outsider, I could see no evidence of "attitude" in his post above. Maybe you were[i] expecting [/i]some? You say that you like BF cabs, but you have some clear ideas about what you see as their short-comings. That's cool - but you do kind of bang on about them. Again, that's cool - we know you are not a fan of the build quality!

[quote name='LawrenceH' timestamp='1387377852' post='2311276'] BF cabs... are probably overkill in many situations! Most common amps people are using won't push them to the limits, and the popularity of the 212s suggests people underestimate how loud a single-driver cab would go, clean, driven by the right amp (or I guess they don't have the right amp).[/quote] Is it a Good Thing to push [i]any[/i] cab to its limits? Some people prefer the twin and multi-speakered cabs because they are taller. OK, dispersion may or may not be better - but sometimes, having your amp higher off the ground is a priority as it makes it more accessible without having to put the cab on top of something and lose low end... Just an observation.

[quote name='The Dark Lord' timestamp='1387382279' post='2311341'] I see your attitude hasn't changed...[/quote] The only "attitude" I'm seeing here is [i]yours[/i].

[quote name='peteb' timestamp='1386897204' post='2306292']I don't see why a cab needs to be THAT light. [/quote] Because it [i][b]can[/b][/i] be? You could turn that viewpoint round and say "why do other cabs need to be THAT heavy?".

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1387367926' post='2311098'] You can sound as "old school" as you like with Barefaced cabs, the 69'er and S15 for instance.[/quote] Yes. My Vintage was [b][i]very[/i][/b] "old school"!!

[quote name='aende' timestamp='1387370300' post='2311131'] [url="http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/pixies-bassist-swap-aint-that-big-of-a-deal-black-francis-says-20131217"]http://www.rollingst...s-says-20131217[/url] With all that is going on with the Pixies, even I am expecting the call up....! [/quote] Are you called Kim?

[quote name='throwoff' timestamp='1387365501' post='2311061'] Look how much BF gear comes up in amps for sale... we are almost to a man (and woman) a right fickle bunch of gits. [/quote] Indeed. I can't believe that I nearly sold my Compact to fund the purchase of a Genz cab! Fortunately the buyer was very understanding when I changed my mind... Why is it that we can be sublimely happy with our gear, but still look at the ads section and be tempted by stuff that is less good than what we already have?? I need to play more gigs so I have less time to spend in Basschat's marketplace!!

[quote name='Thunderbird' timestamp='1383596030' post='2266440'] And are these block inlay decals any good? as I wasn't sure whether they would rub of and look really shabby with playing. Thanks in advance [/quote] To me, they looked and felt almost like the real thing. And for a fiver you can't go wrong if you like the look of blocks (which I do!).

[quote name='Dandelion' timestamp='1387361311' post='2311005'] Yes thats it!!! They feel like slow worm / Millipedes.. [/quote] More millipede than slow-worm IME... and I used to have pet slow-worms too! Call me a masochist if you like (I can take it... ) but I like the rough feel of Roto 66s... keeps my finger-ends tough. They can be a bit hard on the frets though.

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1387212470' post='2309455'] MM20 is right in a sense that you can f*** your back picking up your car keys with bad technique. Lighter weight will help a lot, but you should avoid twisting and stretching, and bending your lower back. And remember that manual handling is not just lifting stuff, it's lowering too, and pushing and pulling, carrying and supporting.[/quote] Very true - and good advice. I was probably being over sensitive - it's not been a great weekend. Apologies to Gareth and anyone else my pontifications have irritated

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1387132088' post='2308518'] The 'carry'/'weight' thing gets on my nerves a little. It's all in the lift, staying healthy and being super careful! Just ask for help!!! It's nice to be able to get cabs that are pretty light, but it isn't everything to me. [/quote] [quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1387137610' post='2308597'] there is no need for excessive weight, and we SHOULD ALL make sure we don't put pressure on our backs. I am lucky to always have assistance with moving gear. IMO - If its too heavy and wide to move yourself, use a £20 trolley off Amazon and get a friend to help with the lifts.[/quote] [quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1387194035' post='2309114'] I realise this is a serious matter for anyone with injuries, but there are no doubt many who have developed this obsession with the new technology regarding 'one schelp from car to gig'.[/quote] [quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1387210685' post='2309407']I offered my opinion,[/quote] None of these comments strike you as being slightly, er... patronising? I am a big strong guy, and I [b][i]choose[/i][/b] to use lightweight cabs. So maybe I am taking your advise after all!

[quote name='ShergoldSnickers' timestamp='1386843606' post='2305165'] Padlock ready... [/quote] Well, I have to say that after five pages and a lot of debate, that this thread has not been the car crash that some predicted! Well done Basschat!

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1387194035' post='2309114'] I realise this is a serious matter for anyone with injuries, but there are no doubt many who have no issues, have a full band of willing helpers, good transport, etc, who have developed this obsession with the new technology regarding 'one schelp from car to gig'.[/quote] I think you are the one coming across as "obsessed"! I have no back-related problems as such, but I am in my late forties now. No matter how many people are in my band, they are not there when I load my car up at the start of the night. Often, as I am first to get to most gigs and rehearsals, there will be nobody there to help me load in. I have a busy life, so I don't want to waste my time doing things I dislike. I dislike carrying heavy, awkward-shaped objects around (when there is an alternative). I have done my time transporting a Trace Elliot stack by myself. Weaving in between drunken punters and posing singers carrying two large, nearly 50kg boxes (sometimes one in each hand!) soon gets wearing, as does skinning one's knuckles on countless doorways and bannisters. Nowadays, I can concentrate more on the actual playing instead of the furniture removal. If that gets on your nerves, well I'm sorry - but that's [i]your[/i] problem!

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1387205415' post='2309300'] We had a Bedford Rascal once and we used it for scrap metal. So there. [/quote] Fixed.

OMG - They're awesome!!!

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1387199738' post='2309205'] Dick Dale's version of Misirlou. [/quote] Good call! Or this one... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWw55XhTehg&list=PL541375AC7BE86908"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWw55XhTehg&list=PL541375AC7BE86908[/url]

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1387184552' post='2308991'] X-Factor for musicians ?! no-one would watch it. Despite us musicians thinking we are very, very important, and overlooked and undervalued, it's the singer in popular music that the audience identifies with. Singers generate reaction and opinion even if those reactions and opinions are from the clueless, they generate in the audience a passionate sense of good and bad, right and wrong, justice and injustice. So they watch and vote and help create the hysteria. Show me an instrumentalist who can generate that kind of reaction. [/quote] This. It may be a frustrating situation, but if we want more recognition for our skills/ability/devotion we need to become singers! People notice singers, even if it is just to say "look at that w***er!!". Not many people leave gigs talking about bass players.... well, except other bass players of course, and even then - only if the singer isn't a w***er.